Rod case



Jan. 10, 1939.

T. L. SMITH ROD 4CSE Filed April 25, 1957 um. QN

l l l l l Cil Patented `an. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to cases for fishing rods. It consists in a novel article of sher mens equipment, namely, a sectional case adapted in extended condition to contain a disjointed fly rod or the like, and in collapsed or contracted condition to be stowed away in the cree] or sh pocket oi the shermans jacket.

Rod cases now available comprise a one-piece metal tube of sufficient length to contain the disjointed rod sections for which they are intended, being from 36" to 44" or thereabouts in length according to the length of the rod. These cases are not adjustable and, since every fisherman wants his rod to t its case without endwise motion or rattle, the dealer must carry in stock an assortment of cases to match rods of all lengths and the fisherman must include in his equipment a case for his rods of different length.

When the iisherman reaches the stream or lishing ground and has put together his rod he has on his hands the empty case which he must usually keep with him. On account of its length it is an awkward thing to carry and it isA easy to lose if laid down and perhaps forgotten in the excitement of the sport.

My invention aims to overcome the diiiculties above discussed by providing a tubular rod case, made in sections and being collapsible when empty and having a capacity for an overall adjustment up to 9 or 12 in extended condition. The result is that one sectional case m-ay be used to accommodate rods of many diiierent lengths. That is, the case may be adjusted in its extended condition to lt properly the sections of the particular rod the fisherman Wishes to use on any given day, and if he Wishes to use a longer or shorter rod the next day he need only make the required adjustment of his sectional case to meet the diierent requirements without resorting to another case of a different and xed length.

These and other features of the invention will be best understood and appreciated from the following description of two preferred embodiments thereof selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the extended case;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on a larger scale, showing a part of the case broken away;

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary views of the ends of adjacent sections of the case;

Fig. 5 is a View in elevation partly in section of a modified form of case, in collapsed condition;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View in collapsed condition of the rod shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and

Fig. '7 is a view in elevation in extended condition of the rod shown in Fig. 5.

The collapsible case shown in Figs. 1-4 and 6 5 Will first be described. This comprises four tubular sections Ill, 20, 30 and 40 each of uniform diameter throughout its length, but progressively decreasing from one section to another so that the sections may be assembled intelescopic rela- 10 tion. The section I0 which is of the largest diameter has iiat ring segments II iiush with its right hand end as shown in Fig. 2. The ring segments I I are spaced to provide diametrically opposed longitudinal passages as best shown in l5 Fig. 3 aording clearance for the lugs or ears 22 projecting from the outer surface of the next smaller section 20. At its outer end the tubular section I0 is povided with an external thread for connection with a flanged cap I2 having a 20 corresponding internal thread upon its ange and an inwardly projecting threaded boss I3.

The section is of such external diameter as to slide freely through the ring segments II of the larger section I0. It is in turn provided upon 25 its left hand end with an external ring 2I of substantially the same thickness as the ring segments II and in assembled relation to the sections IU and 20 a spiral spring 25 is interposed between the oppositely disposed ends of the ring 2l and the ring segments I I. The lugs or tongues 22 upon the section 20 are arranged to abut against the ends of the ring segments II when the section 20 is rotated sufficiently to carry the lugs out of alignment with the passages of the ring segments Il and in this relationship of the sections the spring 25 acts to hold the lugs 22 yieldingly against the end of the ring segments thus frictionally preventing accidental rotation of the sections and maintaining them in extended relation. The section 20 is provided at its right hand end with ring segments 24 similar to the ring segments I I, already described and similarly providing longitudinal passages for lugs on the. third section 30 of the rod case. 45

The third and fourth sections of the rod case 3U and 40 are similar in construction although of progressively lesser diameter. The section 30 is provided at its left hand end with an external ring 3| and at its right hand end with an 50 internal ring 34 and springs 35 and 45 respectively are provided in the chamber formed between the end of the external ring on the smaller section and the internal ring on the larger section. The three smaller sections of the rod case are also provided with external rings 23 and 33 and i3 respectively which project sufficiently to engage the end of the next larger section when the sections are brought into their collapsed relation. The smallest section 40 of the rod case is provided with an integral collar 42 carrying the ring 43 and also having an external thread for the reception of a iianged threaded cap 44. The section 40 is also provided at its inner or left hand end with an internal thread designed to be engaged with-the threaded boss I3 of the cap l2. n

The case shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in its extended or elongated condition has each section turned suiciently with respect to the next to carry the lugs 2?. and the corresponding lugs of the other sections out of alignment with the passages in the internal ring segments.

In extended condition each of the springs 25, 35k and 45 is -compressed and the sections are thus frictionally maintained in the desired rela- ,V tive position. The case may be opened and closed by means of the threaded caps l2 and 44. It

- will be observed that the extended case is substantially leakproof in its construction. This is so because the external ring on each of the smaller .sections acts as a packing ring between it and the next larger section. Water entering .the passage between the outer ring segments is prevented from reaching the interior of the case by the action of the rings 2l, 3l or 4I. The

leakproof character of the case is important .because it gives the sherman an opportunity to recover his rod and case if they should be dropped in the water as is likely to happen.

When it is desired to collapse the case. after the rod has been removed therefrom, it is necessary merely to rotate the successive sections so that the lugs 22, 32 and 42 pass into registration with the corresponding passages between the ring segments. When this has been done v, kthe sections may be collapsed and the inner --threaded end of the smallest section 4D may be u threaded upon the boss Yshown in Fig. 6. In this condition therefore the I3 of the cap I2 as case is locked in its contracted condition, having an overall length of l2 or 14 inches and thus being` of convenient dimensions to be stowed away by the fisherman.

A telescopic rod case of alternative construction is shown in Figs. 5 and 7.

.three tubular sections 50, ESQ and l!) preferably This comprises of brass or aluminum tubing and each having a thread rolled in both ends.

The sections are of uniform diameter throughout their length but decrease in diameter from one section to the next, the section 5D being oi largest diameter.

The threads on both ends of this largest section are rolled inwardly of the diameter of the cap 5l.

section itself and that on its left hand end is designed for the ,reception of a iiange threaded The thread at its right hand end is for the reception of the externally threaded left hand end of the second case section 60. The second case section 60 is provided at its right hand end with an internal thread for connection with the smallest section 1i) and the latter is provided at its right hand end with an internal thread for the reception of a threaded closing cap l2. In Fig. '7 the rod case is shown in extended condition with the end threads of one section engaging the end threads of the next section. It will be observed thatthe threaded connection in each case is of substantial length thereby supplying provision for longitudinal adjustment of the sections at each joint, which adjustment may be taken advantage of in adapt- In Fig. 5 the rod case is shown in collapsed condition and in this instance it will be noted lthat the section 6l? has been passed inside the largest section 5G and the thread on its left hand end engaged with the internal thread on the left hand end of the section 50. The section 60 is thus held rmly against longitudinal movement. The smallest section 1G has also been passed inside the second section 60 and the thread on its right hand end engaged with the internal thread on the right hand end of the section 60. All of the sections of the empty case are thus maintained positively in their collapsed or telescoped relation to the great convenience of the fisherman. As with the extended rod case the collapsed rod case on account of its long and close fitting threaded connections is substantially leak-proof and will float if dropped into the water.

Having thus disclosed my invention and described two embodiments thereof for purposes of illustration but not limitation, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A rod case comprising an outer tubular section having two threaded end portions, a plurality of tubular sections of lesser diameter telescopically related thereto, and a threaded portion on one of said latter sections shaped for engaging one threaded end portion of said outer section when all the sections are in contracted relation and the other threaded end portion when the sections are elongated.

2. A collapsible rod case for holding the sections of a disjointed fishing rod, and comprising three telescopic tubular members, the larger of which has internal threads on both sides, the intermediate member of which has threads on both ends, one to lit the thread on either end of the larger member, and the smallest member or" which has threads on both ends, both of said threads being shaped to t the thread on one end of the intermediate member.

THEODORE L. SMITH. 

